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There is a lack of data for health risk assessment of long term personal exposure to certain ubiquitous air pollutants present particularly in urban atmospheres. The relationship between ambient background concentrations and personal exposure is often unknown. A pilot campaign to measure indoor concentrations, outdoor concentrations and personal exposure to benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde was conducted in a medium sized French town. A strong contribution to total personal exposure was observed from indoor sources, especially for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, suggesting that indoor sources are dominant for these compounds. For benzene, the average personal exposure exceeded a 10 microgm(-3) limit value, although this was not the case for the ambient background concentration. For formaldehyde, the limit level was also exceeded. Observations suggest that true personal exposure cannot be determined directly from measurements pertaining from fixed ambient background monitoring stations. It is hoped that this will be taken into consideration by the bodies responsible for monitoring air pollution and the future European Air Quality Directive.

Aujourd'hui, 2 décès sur 3 dans le monde sont le fait des maladies chroniques (maladies cardio-vasculaires ou respiratoires, cancers, diabète...). En France, ces maladies progressent 4 à 5 fois plus vite que le changement démographique. Le cancer touche 1 homme sur 2 et 2 femmes sur 5. Les coûts générés font imploser les systèmes de santé. Face à cette catastrophe sanitaire, il est temps de réagir. Les maladies chroniques ne sont ni un simple effet du vieillissement ni une fatalité : notre environnement moderne est en cause. Des milliers de molécules chimiques l'ont contaminé mais aussi la malbouffe, la sédentarité, la pollution urbaine, le travail précaire et stressant et les inégalités au Nord comme au Sud. La découverte des "perturbateurs endocriniens", la mise en évidence d'une transmission de cet héritage toxique aux générations futures révolutionnent la pensée scientifique et réclament de nouvelles politiques de santé à l'échelle mondiale. Au-delà d'un constat fondé sur les références scientifiques les plus solides, André Cicolella livre des clés pour l'avenir : oui, les maladies chroniques peuvent reculer, à condition de repenser notre façon de vivre, de consommer et de travailler !

On s'intéresse ici au rôle des facteurs environnementaux et socio-économiques sur l'épidémie de cancer par des approches spatiales à l'aide des systèmes d'informations géographiques. Les objectifs sont d'analyser, au niveau cantonal, la relation entre cancer et exposition environnementale dans la région de Picardie, ainsi que son évolution dans le temps. Les données d'environnement sont celles qui ont déjà été acquises, lors de la 1ère étape du projet CIRCE (base PLAINE) qui a permis la transformation des principales bases de données environnementales(air, eau, sol, alimentation)en base de données spatialisées et agrégées pour 4 polluants métalliques (Pb, Cr, Ni, Co).Le risque relatif de mortalité par cancer par canton a pu être défini à partir des données du CépiDc de l'Inserm, pour deux périodes 1990-1999 et 2000-2009.Pour analyser l'association entre les indicateurs d'exposition et le risque de mortalité par cancer, un modèle de régression écologique(modèle hiérarchique bayésien) qui permet d'évaluer, sur des données agrégées à l'échelle des cantons, la part des variations spatiales de mortalité aux variations des indices d'exposition, a été utilisé. Le croisement de ces données spatialisées par canton nous a permis de mettre en évidence certaines corrélations par exemple, le risque de mortalité par cancer de la plèvre augmente avec le niveau d'exposition au nickel pour les deux périodes étudiées comme le montrent les résultats par quintiles:1.36[0.73-1.99],1.44[0.90-2.77],1.82[1.26-4.09],1.79[1.23-3.95] pour la période 1990-1999 et 1.09[0.86-1.72],1.57[1.08-3.06],1.55[0.94-3.18],1.83[1.03-4.09] pour la période 2000-2009.Des résultats complémentaires seront présentés, notamment ceux obtenus à l'aide de la base de données Corinne Land Cover. Bien que cette approche comporte des limites comme la non prise en compte de la mobilité à court et long terme des populations ou encore les temps de latence relativement longs pour le cancer, les études de corrélations permettent d'éclairer la complexité du lien environnement, social et santé.

International audience; Analyzing the relationship between the environment and health has become a major focus of public health efforts in France, as evidenced by the national action plans for health and the environment. These plans have identified the following two priorities: - identify and manage geographic areas where hotspot exposures are a potential risk to human health; and - reduce exposure inequalities. The aim of this study is to develop a spatial stochastic multimedia exposure model for detecting vulnerable populations and analyzing exposure determinants at a fine resolution and regional scale. A multimedia exposure model was developed by INERIS to assess the transfer of substances from the environment to humans through inhalation and ingestion pathways. The RESPIR project adds a spatial dimension by linking GIS (Geographic Information System) to the model. Tools are developed using modeling, spatial analysis and geostatistic methods to build and discretize interesting variables and indicators from different supports and resolutions on a 1-km(2) regular grid. We applied this model to the risk assessment of exposure to metals (cadmium, lead and nickel) using data from a region in France (Nord-Pas-de-Calais). The considered exposure pathways include the atmospheric contaminant inhalation and ingestion of soil, vegetation, meat, egg, milk, fish and drinking water. Exposure scenarios are defined for different reference groups (age, dietary properties, and the fraction of food produced locally). The two largest risks correspond to an ancient industrial site (Metaleurop) and the Lille agglomeration. In these areas, cadmium, vegetation ingestion and soil contamination are the principal determinants of the computed risk.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous disruptor. It has been shown, that after exposure during gestation, BPA can induce several chronic diseases (cancer, reproductive troubles, behavioral troubles, diabetes and obesity). The aim of the study was to analyze whether eviction from BPA sources in food could diminish population exposure. 48 volunteers have given urinary samples before and after a one week eviction. The population impregnation levels are significantly high, as 87.5 % of the studied population, which corroborates other biomonitoring surveys. Contrary to all expectations, such a decrease following food withdrawal has not been systematically achieved. Several hypotheses have been cited to account for this result ant to more specifically account for the numerous other possible sources of poisoning. It is therefore essential that BPA levels should be clearly indicated on all products containing the substance with an aim to identifying the best way of securing withdrawal for the population, pending enforcement of October 12, 2011 law banning BPA in plastic food packagings., Le Bisphénol A (BPA) est un perturbateur endocrinien ubiquitaire, dont il a été démontré qu'il peut induire, principalement à la suite d'une exposition pendant la gestation, plusieurs types de maladies chroniques (cancer, troubles de la reproduction, troubles du comportement, diabète et obésité). L'objectif de l'étude était de déterminer si l'éviction des principales sources alimentaires de Bisphénol A diminuait l'imprégnation d'une population. Un groupe de 48 volontaires a fait l'objet d'un dosage urinaire avant et après une semaine d'éviction des sources identifiées. Le taux d'imprégnation de la population est très élevé puisque 87,5 % de la population étudiée est imprégnée, ce qui corrobore d'autres études. Contre toute attente, la diminution après éviction alimentaire n'a pas été systématiquement obtenue. Plusieurs hypothèses sont évoquées pour expliquer ce résultat et en particulier les nombreuses autres sources possibles d'intoxication. Il apparaît indispensable que la présence de Bisphénol A soit clairement indiquée sur tous les produits en contenant afin de permettre à la population une meilleure éviction en attendant que la loi du 12 octobre 2011 interdisant le BPA dans les emballages alimentaires ne prenne effet.

The exposure of workers to methylene chloride and phenol in an aeronautical workshop was measured during stripping of paint from a Boeing B 747. Methylene chloride exposure was measured during two work days by personal air sampling, while area sampling was used for phenol. During paint stripping operations, methylene chloride air concentrations ranged from 299.2 mg/m3 (83.1 ppm) to 1888.9 mg/m3 (524.7 ppm). The exposures to methylene chloride calculated for an 8-h work day ranged from 86 mg/m3 (23.9 ppm) to 1239.5 mg/m3 (344.3 ppm). In another aeronautical workshop, exposure to organic solvents, especially ethylene glycol monoethylether acetate (EGEEA), was controlled during the painting of an Airbus A 320. The external exposure to solvents and EGEEA was measured by means of individual air sampling. The estimation of internal exposure to EGEEA was made by measuring its urinary metabolite, ethoxyacetic acid (EAA). Both measurements were made during the course of 3 days. The biological samples were taken pre- and post-shift. During painting operations, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, n-butyl alcohol, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, n-butyl acetate, ethylbenzene, xylenes and EGEEA were detected in working atmospheres. For these solvents, air concentrations ranged from 0.1 ppm to 69.1 ppm. EGEEA concentrations ranged from 29.2 mg/m3 (5.4 ppm) to 150.1 mg/m3 (27.8 ppm). For biological samples, the average concentrations of EAA were 108.4 mg/g creatinine in pre-shift and 139.4 mg/g creatinine in post-shift samples. Despite the fact that workers wore protective respiratory equipment during paint spraying operations, EEA urinary concentrations are high and suggest that percutaneous uptake is the main route of exposure for EGEEA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Le mode d'action des Perturbateurs Endocriniens (PE) ne s'inscrit pas dans le paradigme classique de la toxicologie, formulé par Paracelse "C'est la dose qui fait le poison" en raison des spécificités suivantes : âge d'exposition, temps écoulé entre l'exposition et ses effets, interactions entre les substances chimiques, dynamique de réponse à la dose et effets latents à long terme. Plutôt que de rechercher une valeur seuil, dont l'existence ne peut être déterminée avec certitude, il est préférable de limiter au maximum toute exposition humaine aux substances caractérisées comme PE.

2-Butoxyethanol (2-BE), is frequently used as a component of industrial and household cleaning agents like those used in window cleaners. In these preparations, 2-BE concentrations ranged from 1 percent to 30 percent in volume. The exposures of 16 cleaning women and 13 cleaners of cars were determined by environmental and biological monitoring. Questionnaires completed by these employees provided basic information for an assessment of factors contributing to the level of exposure. The time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of 2-BE were determined by individual sampling. Preshift and endshift urine samples were analyzed for butoxy-acetic acid (BAA), one specific metabolite of 2-BE. The 2-BE TWA of the workers ranged from

As of the mid-19th century, most infectious disease epidemics have been fought and slowed down by taking action on the environment (water, housing, waste) and education. This constitutes the 1st public health revolution paradigm. As we face the current epidemic of chronic diseases and the failure of the dominant biomedical model to stop them, a 2nd public health revolution is needed. The vision for this 2nd public health revolution requires a new paradigm built upon an eco-systemic definition of health and the recognition of the legitimacy for citizen participation based on the precautionary principle., À partir du milieu du XIXe siècle, la plupart des épidémies de maladies infectieuses ont reculé grâce à une action sur l'environnement (eau, habitat, déchets) et l'éducation, ce qui a constitué le paradigme de cette 1re révolution de santé publique. Face à l'épidémie actuelle de maladies chroniques et l'incapacité de l'actuel modèle biomédical pour l'arrêter, une 2e révolution de santé publique apparaît nécessaire construite sur un paradigme reposant sur une définition écosystémique de la santé et la reconnaissance de la légitimité de la participation des citoyens fondée sur le principe de précaution

International audience

National audience; INTRODUCTION. La progression de l'incidence du cancer en France et dans les pays développés suscite une interrogation sur l'origine de cette croissance et notamment sur l'importance de la composante environnementale de celle-ci. MATERIEL ET METHODES. Les études de corrélation écologique utilisant les Systèmes d'Information Géographique (SIG) peuvent apporter un éclairage nouveau sur la relation entre cancer et environnement en prenant en considération l'information fournie par la spatialisation des données. RESULTATS. Des programmes de cette nature se sont développés pour analyser des excès de cancer, notamment aux Etats-Unis (Cape Cod, Long Island). Le programme CIRCE a été conçu pour développer une approche de ce type en France. Il réunit l'INERIS, l'INSERM U897, 4 ORS (Picardie, Ile-de-France, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Rhône-Alpes), le registre des cancers de l'Isère et l'UTC. Il comprend deux phases. La phase I se décompose en 3 opérations : 1) production des cartes de données lissées de mortalité sur les 4 régions et de morbidité sur l'Isère 2) transformation des principales bases de données environnementales en base de données spatialisées 3) croisement des données sanitaires et environnementales. La phase II vise à investiguer les zones contrastées (à très fort ou très faible taux). DISCUSSION ET CONCLUSION. Les études de corrélation écologique permettent d'apporter un éclairage nouveau permettant de mieux comprendre la relation entre cancer et environnement en générant notamment de nouvelles hypothèses. Les premiers résultats acquis sur 4 régions montrent que cette démarche est possible en France et peut être étendue à d'autres

The term volatile organic compounds includes a wide variety of chemical substances with the common feature of being carbon compounds that are volatile at ambient temperature. They can be classified into different families defined by their chemical formulae, each of which possesses common properties, although there may be major differences in terms of toxicity. For that reason the effects of VOC on health have to be considered both in an individual way and also from a global viewpoint on account of their common toxic properties and the role they play in the formation of environmental photo-oxidative pollutants, both outdoors and indoors.

L'utilisation couplée de modèle multimédia et de Système d'Information Géographique (SIG) s'est largement développée ces dernières années pour étudier l'exposition des populations aux substances chimiques. Les décideurs sont confrontés depuis quelques années au besoin de développement d'outils nécessaires à la prise en compte des risques sanitaires. Dans ce cadre, le projet SIGFRIED 1 (Système d'Information Géographique, Facteurs de RIsques Environnementaux et Décès par cancer) vise à construire un indicateur spatialisé de l'exposition de la population française aux polluants environnementaux. Pour cela un modèle multimédia d'exposition est utilisé pour le calcul des doses d'exposition de populations cibles liées à l'ingestion de produits d'alimentation, d'eau de consommation et à l'inhalation de contaminants atmosphériques. L'indicateur intègre dans un SIG des bases de données géoréférencées environnementales (eau, air, sol), comportementales et démographiques. Le modèle utilise les équations de transfert de polluant de la source à l'individu. L'étude a pour objectif principal d'identifier les zones géographiques potentiellement responsables d'une surexposition et leurs déterminants (types de polluant, voies d'exposition, classes de population à risque) par l'analyse des variations de l'indicateur environnemental. Dans cet article, sont présentés la méthodologie générale et les résultats de modélisation de l'indicateur d'exposition aux Elément Traces Métallique (ETM) sur la région Nord - Pas de Calais. La modélisation a permis de détecter des zones de surexposition potentielle localisées sur des agglomérations ou des sites de grandes sources de pollution bien identifiés. Les résultats permettent également de caractériser les déterminants de l'exposition (parts locales et ubiquitaires, voies d'exposition et polluants). Cependant l'utilisation de données de formats et de sources différentes, non spécifiquement adaptées pour ce type d'étude, génère de nombreuses incertitudes sur l'ensemble de la chaîne de calcul qui seront étudiées au cours d'une prochaine étude

SUMMARYAims– To highlight the major discrepancies that emerged between evidence and routine practice in the framework of the SIEP-DIRECT's Project (DIscrepancy betweenRoutine practice andEvidence in psychiatricCommunityTreatments onSchizophrenia). The Project was conducted in 19 Italian mental health services (MHS), with the aims of: a) evaluating the appropriateness of the NICE Guidelines for Schizophrenia in the Italian context, b) developing and testing a set of 103 indicators that operationalised preferred clinical practice requirements according to the NICE Guidelines, and c) evaluating their actual application in Italian MHSs.Methods– The indicators investigated five different areas: common elements in all phases of schizophrenia; first episode treatment; crisis treatment; promoting recovery; the aggressive behaviour management.Results– The NICE recommendations examined were judged in most instances to be appropriate to the Italian MHS context, and the indicators fairly easy to use. The more severe and frequently encountered evidence-practice discrepancies were: lack of written material, guidelines, and information to be systematically provided to users; lack of intervention monitoring and evaluation; difficulty in implementingspecific and structured forms of intervention; difficulty in considering patients' family members as figures requiring targeted support themselves and who should also be regularly involved in the patient care process.Conclusions– The key actions to be undertaken to favour implementation of evidence-based routine practices are: focussing on mental illness onset and family support/involvement in care; planning training activities aimed at achieving specific treatment goals; encouraging MHS participation in evaluation activities; identifying thresholds for guideline application and promoting specific guideline implementation actions; and activating decision making and resource allocationprocesses that rely more strictly on evidence and epidemiological assessment. These considerations are of value for rethinking the model of community psychiatry in Italy as well as in other countries.Declaration of Interest: None.

L’iniziativa realizzata in partenariato con ICEAAIAB, Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Ostuni e Cooperativa Riforma Fondiaria di Serranova, rappresenta un Progetto Pilota che ha coinvolto 8 aziende olivicole e 16 ettari di oliveto. Il progetto ha puntato alla promozione di un processo di filiera dell’olio biologico che coinvolge gli operatori ricadenti nell’area della Riserva. Le olive prodotte secondo i principi e le tecniche dell’agricoltura biologica (Reg. CE 2092/91), sono state trasformate in olio “biologico” certificato. Il prodotto finale è commercializzato con il Marchio del Parco a garanzia della provenienza del prodotto finito a cui si è aggiunta la certificazione dei metodi di produzione biologica. Il progetto, nei suoi vari passaggi, ha il compito di garantire un minore impatto ambientale, un miglioramento qualitativo del prodotto e una garanzia di tracciabilità dell’olio di oliva, assicurare una maggiore remunerazione del prodotto rispetto ai prezzi di mercato, in grado di compensare i maggiori sforzi necessari per ottenere un prodotto di qualità e rispettoso dell’ambiente oltre che tutelare un paesaggio agrario unico e dal grande fascino, come quello degli oliveti secolari. The project is realized in collaboration with ICEAAIAB, “Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Ostuni” and “Cooperativa Riforma Fondiaria di Serranova”. The pilot project has involved 8 olive farms and 16 hectars of olive tree plantation. The project is aimed at the promotion of a chain process of the olive oil production, involving all the operators included in the Reserve. The olives have been produced according to the organic farming regulations (Reg. CE 2092/91), and have been transformed into certified organic oil. The final product has been sold with the Park Certification, that certifies the origin of the olives and the use of organic methods of production. The project is aimed at reducing the farming environmental impacts, at enhancing the product quality and its market value, and at conserving a unique and precious rural landscape, such is the olive tree traditional plantation.

Glycol ethers (GE) are a family of solvents, the use of which has increased dramatically since the 60's, in domestic and occupational mainly water-based products, such as paintings, inks, varnishes, cleaning agents. There are two subgroups: E series and P series. EGME, among the E series, is the reference substance. This is a reprotoxic chemical causing infertility and genital apparatus atrophy on both sexes, embryofetal toxicity through maternal exposure (malformation, growth alterations and functional deficits). European Union has classified nine other GE as reprotoxic. P series, with the beta isomers exception, has no specific reprotoxicity. Epidemiological studies published from the 80's onwards, have confirmed animal data (malformation, oligoazoospermia, spontaneous abortion, hypofertility). The effects can be observed even after the end of exposure. Risk assessment studies tend to prove that this massive exposure during several decades could have had an important impact on reproductive human health. Even if this exposure has considerably decreased since the last few years, a ban of reprotoxic GE, as required by two official bodies (CSC, CSHPF), seems necessary, due to the high risk level. Classification should be completed for some GE, not classified now (EGBE). Health assessment of past exposure should be carried out. Physicians should look after a possible glycol ethers responsibility when facing this kind of reprotoxic effects.

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) has received support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Office (ILO) to publish the African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety. The African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety should not be a medium for industry propaganda, or the source of misinformation among the workers of Africa. Instead, FIOH should provide the same level of scientific information in Africa that it does in Finland and other developed countries.

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) has received support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Office (ILO) to publish the African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety. The African Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety should not be a medium for industry propaganda, or the source of misinformation among the workers of Africa. Instead, FIOH should provide the same level of scientific information in Africa that it does in Finland and other developed countries.

Following the wreck of the oil tanker ERIKA off the north-west coast of France in December 1999, cleaning up of the beaches involved considerable work, which in any case could not be perfect. This raised the question of the short- and long-term health risks for the future bathers related to the toxicity of the remaining oil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This risk assessment study was conducted to help health authorities plan risk management policies and inform the public. Thirty-six beaches were selected, representing a sample of the most frequently encountered topographic and beach usage situations; seven “control” beaches, unspoiled by ERIKA, were also investigated. Samples of water and sand were taken from each site, as well as from the surface of rocks. The 16 PAHs selected by the U.S. EPA were quantified in each environment. Several scenarios of exposure were contemplated: (1) a child between 2 and 4 years accidentally ingesting a small ball of fuel, (2) a child daily exposed throughout his holiday-time stay, (3) an adult (including a pregnant woman) spending his/her holidays on the coast, (4) an adult working on the beach, (5) and an adult practicing water sports. Among the available and significant toxicological values, the most conservative ones were selected for computing risks. The sand and water, after decontamination, were slightly polluted (respectively, 7.8 μg/kg and 23.3 ng/l of total 16 PAHs), with values similar to those found in the control beaches. By contrast, the rocky areas in some places were still highly polluted (up to 23 mg/kg on the surface layer). No lethal risk was found for a young child who had accidentally ingested a small ball of fuel. The life-long excess risks for skin cancer and for all other cancers were about 10−5 in scenarios including contact with the polluted rocks. In all other cases, excess risks were considerably lower. The hazard quotient for teratogenic effects was very small, except in scenarios where pregnant women would walk among rocks containing high pollution levels. In conclusion, exposure was mainly associated with polluted water among children, and with spoiled rocks for adults. Despite uncertainties, mainly dealing with the prediction of long-term risks following a short-term exposure, this study showed that beaches where pollution was no longer visible after decontamination did not entail any significant health risks and could be opened to the public.

There is a lack of data on environmental benzene exposure in children. In this study, we compared personal benzene exposure and inhalation uptake in a group of children to those of their parents. We also compared levels of urinary benzene metabolites, trans,trans-muconic acid (MA) and hydroquinone (HQ), for those two groups, and assessed the correlation between personal benzene exposure and urinary MA and HQ concentrations. The study was performed on 21, 2-3-year-old children and their parents recruited on a voluntary basis among non-smokers from the three largest day-care centers of the town of Rouen in France. Average benzene concentrations were measured over 5 consecutive days with diffusive samplers. The following simultaneous measurements were carried out: personal exposure of the parents, concentrations inside and outside the day care centers, and inside the volunteer's bedrooms. Morning and evening urine samples were collected during the same period. Benzene personal exposure levels were 14.4+/-7.7 microg/m(3) and 11.09+/-6.15 microg/m(3) in parents and children, respectively. Benzene inhalation uptake estimates were 2.51+/-1.23 microg/kg/day in the group of parents and 5.68+/-3.17 microg/kg/day in the group of children. Detectable levels of MA and HQ were found in 85% and 100% of the samples, respectively. Intra-individual variation of urinary MA and HQ concentrations expressed as a coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 63 to 232% and from 13 to 144%, respectively. Mean values of MA and HQ (in mg/g creatinine) were 1.6- and 1.8-fold higher in the group of children than in the group of parents (P=0.008 and P0.0001, respectively). Significant correlations between metabolites levels and benzene were not found.

Exposure to airborne pollutants can result in adverse health effects. Acute symptoms can for instance comprise of irritation of the eyes or of the respiratory tract (called sensory irritation). In a recent case, health problems were reported in a French school and supposedly attributed to the presence of airborne irritant pollutants. Based on measured concentrations, the risk of developing the described health effects was assessed.Numerous airborne sensory irritants (aldehydes, organic acids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), SO2, NH3) were identified and quantified in the indoor air by using active and passive sampling and online monitoring techniques. Reference values based on toxicological properties of compounds (sensory irritants) were taken from the literature. If not available, tentative values were specially developed for this purpose. Concentrations of all sensory irritants remain below their corresponding guideline values and are comparable to literature data. It was concluded that the risk of developing sensory irritation due to the presence of the studied compounds is negligible. This holds both for individual compounds and for the mixture of studied compounds. Limitations of the employed sampling strategy, and of existing sampling and analytical techniques, which do not allow for analysing more reactive compounds—which are strong sensory irritants—may play a role. New sampling techniques need to be developed. Psychosocial factors (group behaviour, increased attention to sensory irritation) should also be taken into account when dealing with health complaints on sensory irritation. Keywords: Airborne sensory irritants, Exposure, Mixtures, Risk assessment, Weighted sum parameter

A combined monitoring and dispersion modelling methodology was applied for assessing air quality at three different levels of proximity to the selected service station: (I) next to the fuel pumps, (II) in the surrounding environment, and (III) in the background. Continuous monitoring and passive sampling were used for achieving high temporal and spatial resolution, respectively. A Gaussian dispersion model (CALINE4) was used for assessing the road traffic contribution to the local concentrations under different meteorological conditions. It was established that Stage 2 vapour recovery reduces BTX concentrations not only near the pumps, but also in their surrounding environment. However, there is evidence that the efficiency of the system is wind speed dependent. The modelling simulation of the worst case wind scenario revealed the significance of local traffic emissions. It was shown that the traffic contribution even from a single road in the vicinity of the station can, under certain conditions, be higher than the contribution of the station itself to the local BTX levels. Finally, after comparison with previous studies, the concentrations measured near the service station (which was situated in a rural environment) appear to be lower than those observed in busy street canyons in city centres. It can be concluded, although Stage 2 recovery system effectively reduces working VOC losses in service stations, that it will only have a limited positive impact on local air quality if the service station is located in a heavily polluted area.

National audience; Largement prise en compte depuis une vingtaine d'années aux Etats-Unis, au Canada et dans les pays nord-européens, la problématique de l'environnement intérieur semble émerger concrètement en France.

National audience

Les Eg sont des substances largement utilisées dans les produits domestiques et industriels. Certains sont des toxiques, principalement de la reproduction et du sang. Leur présence dans les milieux aqueux a été peu recherchée, car leur polarité fait que les méthodes classiques sont inadéquates pour les détecter. Une méthode d'extraction de type SPME (Solid Phase Micro Extraction), couplée avec une analyse CG/FID ou CG/SM a été mise au point et utilisée pour évaluer la pollution dans un certain nombre de milieux aquatiques. Le traitement dans les stations diminue fortement la pollution de l'eau, mais certains pics de pollution subsistent. Les indications relatives à la pollution des nappes montrent qu'une étude plus systématique est nécessaire, notamment autour de décharges ayant reçu des déchets contenant des Eg.

A combined monitoring and dispersion modelling methodology was applied for assessing air quality related to concentration levels of benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) at three different levels of proximity to a petrol selected service Station: (I) next to the fuel pumps, (II) in the surrounding environment, and (III) m the background. A Gaussian dispersion model (CALINE4) was used for assessing the road traffic contribution to the local concentrations under different meteorological conditions. It was established that Stage 2 vapour recovery reduces BTX concentrations not only near the pumps but also in their surrounding environment. However, there is evidence that the efficiency of the System is wind speed dependent. The modelling Simulation of the worst case wind scenario revealed the significance of local traffic emissions. It was shown that the traffic contribution to the local BTX levels even from a single road in the vicinity of the Station can be, under certain conditions, higher than the contribution of the Station itself. Finally, after comparison with previous studies, the concentrations measured near the service station (which was situated in a rural environment) appear to be lower than those observed in busy street canyons in city centres. It can be concluded that although Stage 2 recovery System effectively reduces working VOC losses in service stations, it will only have a limited positive impact on local air quality if the service Station is located in a heavily polluted area.

La connaissance de la relation santé-environnement est devenue un enjeu majeur de santé publique. Une fraction importante des pathologies chroniques (cancers, pathologies respiratoires, allergies, atteintes de la reproduction...), dont l'incidence est pour certaines en augmentation, apparaît, en effet, être la conséquence de l'action de facteurs environnementaux (Baldwin, 1996). Ceux-ci restent encore très largement à identifier. La relation entre pollution de l'environnement intérieur et santé a historiquement surtout été abordée sous l'angle santé-travail, à partir notamment d'effets du type " Syndrome des Bâtiments Malsains ". La relation avec les pathologies chroniques a été moins étudiée.

Le principe de précaution est devenu un principe juridique de haut niveau pour la gestion des risques pour la santé liés à l'environnement depuis le traité de Maastricht. C'est un principe de décision en situation d'incertitude. En matière de risque chimique, la mise en évidence des effets chez l'homme est un processus long et complexe. L'application du principe de précaution implique donc d'agir avant même d'avoir une certitude complète quant aux effets chez l'homme. La méthodologie de l'évaluation des risques permet de déterminer la probabilité des effets chez l'homme à partir des données expérimentales. Cette démarche a été codifiée par l'Académie des Sciences des Etats-Unis en 1983 et reprise par l'Union Européenne en 1993. Elle dissocie clairement les notions de danger (caractéristique intrinsèque d'une substance) et de risque (probabilité d'occurrence d'un effet). Elle prévoit 4 phases : identification des dangers, évaluation de la relation dose-effet ; évaluation de l'exposition, caractérisation des risques. Un corps de doctrine a été constitué qui permet, lorsque l'on dispose des données de base nécessaires, d'évaluer le risque pour l'homme exposé en tant que travailleur, consommateur ou dans son environnement. Lorsque cette démarche aboutit à un niveau de risque non négligeable (indice de risque IR > 1 pour les effets systémiques ; niveau de risque > 10"5 pour les effets cancérogènes), le principe de précaution implique que soit alors posée la question de la substitution, et ce, sans attendre d'avoir la certitude des effets chez l'homme. L'exemple des éthers de glycol illustre l'intérêt de cette démarche.

Le poids croissant des pathologies chroniques, comme le cancer, a conduit à se poser la question de la responsabilité des facteurs environnementaux dans la genèse de ces affections. L'étude récente de la fédération française des registres de cancer montre qu'entre 1975 et 1995, l'incidence des cancers a progressé en France, à population égale, de 1 % par an. Le contexte est aussi marqué par le changement de regard que porte la société sur la question du risque. Pour reprendre l'analyse de Ewald, on peut considérer que le 19eme siècle se caractérise par l'émergence du principe de prévoyance. L'homme cherche à se prémunir contre les conséquences des risques. Le 20eme siècle voit se développer, à la suite du développement des sciences, l'idée de prévention et de maîtrise de risques. La prévention suppose que l'on agit sur des facteurs connus. La fin du XXe siècle voit émerger le concept de précaution. La société commence à douter que l'on puisse toujours dominer les conséquences du progrès technique et se pose la question d'une évaluation a priori de celles-ci.

Les esters de glycol (Eg) forment une famille de substances très utilisées dans les produits industries Cosmétiques, principalement dans les produits dits " ä 1'eau " comme les peintures, les encres, les produits de nettoyage, etc. II est possible de les classer expérimentalement en trois grandes classes de toxicité : le groupe 1 est toxique pour la reproduction (infertilité et atteinte de l'appareil génital dans les deux sexes), pour le développement embryofoetal et pour le sang (hypoplasie médullaire). Le groupe 2 induit une toxicité pour le développement embryofoetal de type non tératogène et une atteinte du sang de type hémolyse. Le groupe 3 comprend les Eg ne présentant pas ces types de toxicité. Les effets sur la reproduction et le sang ont été observes chez l'homme expose en milieu professionnel ä certains de ces Eg. L'homme apparait plus sensible que l'animal, en raison d'une capacité moins rapide d'élimination des métabolites responsables de la toxicité des molécules mères, sauf en ce qui concerne l'hémolyse. La cancérogénicité de certains Eg est suggérée par certaines données in vitro et in vivo mais reste à confirmer